on rapidly; and we pushed forward as fast as we could travel,
hoping soon to overtake the Arrapahas.

After following the trail, we found that it took the way along the
mountains. This was rather an advantage in some respects, as, being
accustomed to mountain travelling, we might move on faster than those of
whom we were in pursuit. As, however, we were made of flesh and blood,
we were obliged to encamp at night, although the dawn of day found us
again in pursuit.

[Illustration: INDIANS AND THEIR BARBARITIES.]

Piomingo thrilled my heart with horror by an account which he gave of
the cruelties practised by the savages on some of their captives, and I
had great fear that our friend Bartle might have been subjected to the
same horrible tortures. Piomingo told us that he himself had been
present at some of the scenes he described. It showed me how debased
men, formed in the image of God, can become, when they have departed
from Him, and how cruel by nature is the human heart, which can devise
and take satisfaction in the infliction of such barbarities. The white
men who were thus treated had done nothing to injure the Indians, except
in attempting to defend their lives and property when attacked. The
captives having been brought out into an open space, bound hand and
foot, the Indians threw off their usual garments, and dressed themselves
in the most fantastic manner. One of their victims was first led forward
and stretched on the ground, to which he was bound by cords and pegs, so
that he could move none of his limbs. The savages then commenced a wild
dance round him, jeering and mocking him, while they described the
various tortures for which he must be prepared. One of the unfortunate
victim's companions was, in the meantime, held, with his hands bound
behind him, and made a witness to his sufferings. The savages, as they
danced round and round him, stooped down and pricked him with daggers
and knives, taking good care not to wound him mortally. Next one of the
wretches, seizing his knife, cut his scalp from off his head; while
others brought some burning embers of wood and placed them on his
breast.

But I see no advantage in further mentioning the diabolical cruelties
practised by these savages of which Piomingo told us. Far removed from
the benign influences of Christianity, these red men only acted
according to the impulses of their barbarous nature. The thought came
upon me with great force, Is it not the dut